Provincial Liberals To Meet In Sydney This Week

The province’s governing Liberals will be holding an Out of Town Caucus meeting in Sydney this week. From tomorrow to Thursday, Liberal MLA’s will also take part in 40 scheduled meetings with various local business and community groups in Cape Breton. In addition, Premier Stephen McNeil will address a luncheon hosted by the Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce at the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavillion on Wednesday. The Liberals’ visit to Cape Breton comes on the heels of criticism from Opposition critics regarding the replacement of the province’s Freedom of Information watchdog. PC Leader Jamie Baillie sent out a news release today saying that the government’s decision not to re-appoint Freedom of Information Officer Dulcie MacCallum amounts to either a silencing of critics or a set up for a Liberal patronage appointment. Both the PC’s and the NDP have already levelled patronage allegations against the Grits regarding the recent hiring of former Liberal candidate Glennie Langille as the province’s Chief Protocol Officer. McNeil defends the appointment, saying that Langille—a former CBC journalist– is qualified for the position.